Forbes Ranks McCartney a Billionaire
Forbes estimates Paul McCartney's net worth at about $1.4 billion, making him the world's third-richest musician.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Pop
Forbes ranked Paul McCartney's net worth at approximately $1.4 billion, placing him as the world's third-richest musician. The ranking was published alongside the launch of Forbes' newsletter "The Billie" with the McCartney billionaire designation.
Why it matters
The ranking highlights how catalog ownership, publishing rights and touring can build a musician's fortune over decades. McCartney's wealth draws on his publishing company and Beatles-related income streams that have grown since 1969.
McCartney's Apple Corps share is 25 percent, and Apple Corps generates about $50 million annually from streaming, vinyl sales and merch. Forbes estimates his Apple Corps income stream is worth more than $150 million for each Beatles member or their estate, though the extraction does not detail how that figure was derived.
The players
Paul McCartney
Former Beatles member and one of the most commercially successful songwriters in music history, whose catalog and publishing interests have driven his net worth.
Forbes
American business media company best known for its annual rankings of the world's wealthiest people, including musicians and entertainers.
The details
McCartney's publishing company, MLP Communications, launched in 1969 and manages his own catalog as well as other artists' copyrights. Forbes cited his catalog acquisitions, including Buddy Holly catalogs, legal maneuvers, tours and art collection as the bulk of his fortune.
Timeline
- 1969: MLP Communications publishing company launched
- 2022 through 2025: Got Back tour counted 79 shows
- May 2026: The Boys of Dungeon Lane solo album released
- November 9, 2026: Forbes ranked McCartney a billionaire
Industry Dynamics
Forbes' billionaire ranking places McCartney alongside Taylor Swift and Jay-Z, showing how music catalogs and publishing rights have become central to the wealth of major recording artists. The ranking reflects a broader shift in which ownership of recorded and composed works generates income well beyond touring.
The ranking itself does not change how listeners access McCartney's music or concerts. Fans can still reach his work through the streaming, vinyl and merchandise channels that Apple Corps operates.
The takeaway
Catalog ownership and publishing rights can generate lasting income for artists long after their most active recording years. McCartney's ranking shows how those rights have continued to produce wealth across several decades.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Pop section for context on how major artists build and manage their fortunes.
